Treadmill exercising device

ABSTRACT

This exercising device is of the treadmill type and comprises three rectangular tubular frames, namely, an open base frame that rests flat on the floor in its operative position, an open handle frame pivotally connected at one end to one end of the base frame and extending upwardly relative to the latter in its operative position, and a roller carrying frame pivotally connected at one end to one end of the base frame inside the same and detachably connectable at its free end in its operative position in either of two height settings relative to the handle frame, rollers on the roller carrying frame extending below the bottom surface thereof and adapted in the horizontal position of said roller carrying frame to provide rolling support to said exercising device in its folded condition, in which the handle frame can be raised and used in pushing or pulling the folded device about on the floor.

United States Patent Salm et al.

[ 51 Mar.21,1972

[ TREADMILL EXERCISING DEVICE [73] Assignee: said Salm, by said Carter[22] Filed: Mar. 2, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 15,605

[52] US. Cl ..272/69 [5 l Int. Cl. ..A63b 23/06 [58] Field of Search..272/69 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,117,957 5/1938Heller ..272/69 931,394 8/1909 Day ..272/69 Primary Examiner- Richard C.Pinkham Assistant ExaminerRichard Dror Attorney-Andrew F. Wintercorn [57] ABSTRACT This exercising device is of the treadmill type andcomprises three rectangular tubular frames, namely, an open base framethat rests flat on the floor in its operative position, an open handleframe pivotally connected at one end to one end of the base frame andextending upwardly relative to the latter in its operative position, anda roller carrying frame pivotally connected at one end to one end of thebase frame inside the same and detachably connectable at its free end inits operative position in either of two height settings relative to thehandle frame, rollers on the roller carrying frame extending below thebottom surface thereof and adapted in the horizontal position of saidroller carrying frame to provide rolling support to said exercisingdevice in its folded condition, in which the handle frame can be raisedand used in pushing or pulling the folded device about on the floor.

8 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures Patented March 21, 1972 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 5lNVE/VTURS.

V/NCE/VT A SALM DAN/EL B. CARTER Patented March 21, 1972 3,650,529

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 VINCE/VT A SAL/w DAN/EL 5. CA RTER TREADMILL EXERCISINGDEVICE This invention relates to an exercising device of the treadmilltype and is more particularly concerned with one that is foldablecompactly for easy storage, and adapted to be rolled easily on itsrollers to and from the spot where it is to be used.

The device comprises three rectangular tubular frames, namely, an openbase frame, an open handle frame pivotally connected to one end of thebase, and a roller frame pivotally connected to the other end of thebase and detachably connectable at its free end in either of two heightsettings relative to the handle frame.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the exercising device showing how it isadapted to be used as a treadmill;

FIG. 2 is a side view, indicating in dotted lines the other heightsetting;

FIG. 3 shows the device folded, ready for storage;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the device in use, taken on line 5-5 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a sectional detail on line 6-6 of FIG. 5 showing one of therollers and the mounting thereof on the roller frame;

FIGS. 7 and 8 are sectional details at the front and rear ends of thedevice, respectively, and

FIGS. 9 and 10 are sections on lines 9-9 and 1010 of FIGS. 5, 7, and 8.

The same reference numerals are applied to corresponding partsthroughout the views.

Referring to the drawings, the reference numerals 11, 12, and 13designate the devices three rectangular tubular frames, namely, the opensupporting base frame 11 that rests on the floor F, the relativelynarrow open handle frame 12 pivotally connected to one end of the baseframe, as at 14, and a treadmill roller frame 13 of intermediate widthpivotally connected to the other end of the base frame at one end, as at15, and detachably connected at its other end in either of two heightsettings relative to the handle frame 12, as at 16 or 17.

When the device is folded, the handle frame 12 rests flatly on top ofthe treadmill roller frame 13, as seen in FIG. 3, and the base frame 11is disposed diagonally between the other two frames. The handle frame 12can be used, as shown in FIG. 4, in pulling the device in eitherdirection resting on the rollers 18, to take advantage of the ballbearings 19, which make for easy rolling action. The rollers 18 arecovered with rug material 20 which makes for good traction and freedomfrom slippage, besides giving good sound deadening effect. The rollersoperate on spaced studs 21 that are riveted onto flanges 22 of rails 23,which in turn are riveted as at 24 to the side portions of the rollerframes 13. Thus, all of the rollers 18 turn independently of one anotherand there is no danger of any friction drag, as there would be, forexample, if a separate belt were provided, as that would give rise tothe problem of the belt not tracking properly all the time. Thecarpeting material is applied in a tight spiral wrap, as indicated at25, and then metallic sleeves 26 are applied tightly to preventloosening. Dirt excluding seal rings 27 keep the bearings running cleanand also retain the lubricant indefinitely.

A channel 28 is secured by its one right angle flange 29 to the baseframe 11 by studs 30 and nuts 31, and the studs 30 are also threaded inthe sides of cylindrical plugs 32 fitting closely in the slottedportions 33 of the handle frame 12 to pivotally mount the frame 12relative to the base frame 11, the shorter other 45 flange 34 of thechannel retaining the handle frame 12. The ends of the tubular frame 12are disposed in abutment with one another at 35 after a sleeve 36 isinserted and then the parts are welded together as indicated at 37. Longscrews (not shown) are applied temporarily to the plugs 32 at 38 to useas handles to hold them in place while the studs 30 are being threadedinto the plugs. The assembly for frame 12 is completed first, and thenthe studs 30 are inserted through holes 39 in frame 1 1, after which thechannel 28 is applied to the two frames and the nuts 31 are applied tothe studs and tightened.

Substantially the same construction is involved in pivotally connectingthe roller frame 13 with the base frame 11, but whereas pivotal movementis allowed by the slots 33, the slots 33 allows much less. All of theparts in FIGS. 8 and 10 are numbered similarly as parts in FIGS. 7 and9, using prime numerals. In FIG. 8 the joining together of the ends offrame 11 is shown, using another sleeve 36' and welds 37 The finaldetail left is the sheet metal bracket 40 that is riveted, as at 41,onto the two legs of the handle frame 14 and has the two ledge 16 and 17provided thereon lengthwise thereof to support the front end of theroller frame 13 in either of its two settings, usually for walking inthe lower position and running or jogging in the upper position.

In operation, it is an easy matter to store the exercising device in acloset or any out of the way place in the compact condition shown inFIG. 3. When putting the device away or taking it out for use it ishandy to use the rollers 18 to support the roller frame 13, using handleend 42 of frame 12 to pull the device to the right spot as shown in FIG.4. The device is operated, of course, as a treadmill in exercising. Thesetting of the roller frame 13 on the lower ledge 16 shown in full linesin FIGS. 1 and 2 is the one usually used for walking exercise whileholding handle 42. It is easy to change to the other higher setting onledge 17 for jogging and running exercises, as indicated in dotted linesin FIG. 2. The rollers 18 run uniformly well in either setting.Theoperators rearward pull on the handle crossbar 42 combined with therearward inclination of frame 12 and gravitation of the roller frame 13to its operative position on either of the ledges 16 or 17 insures safeoperation in whichever form of exercise is selected.

It is believed the foregoing description conveys a good understanding ofthe objects and advantages of my invention. While a preferred embodimentof the invention has been illustrated and described, this is only forthe purpose of illustration, and it is to be understood that variousmodifications in structure will occur to a person skilled in this art.

We claim:

1. An exercising device of the kind described comprising three pivotallyconnected rectangular frames disposed in end to end relationship to oneanother, the middle one being an open supporting base frame and havingone end frame movable pivotally inside it between a horizontal mobileposition and an inclined stationary operative position, the said endframe carrying rollers transversely thereof in close parallel andcoplanar relationship to said frame and extending beyond said frame onat least the bottom surface thereof and adapted in the horizontalposition of said end frame to give rolling support to said exercisingdevice when in folded condition, said roller carrying end frame in theinclined stationary operative position being supported at its free endby the other end frame on the base frame.

2. An exercising device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the other endframe includes means providing for more than one extent of inclinedsupport of said first named end frame in the operative position.

3. An exercising device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the other endframe is foldable to parallel relationship to the roller carrying frameand unfoldable upwardly to be used in pulling or pushing the device to adesired position resting on the rol' lers.

4. An exercising device of the kind described comprising a horizontalrectangular supporting base frame, an upright rectangular handle framepivotally connected to one end of said base frame, and an inclinedroller carrying treadmill frame pivotally connected at its low end tothe other end of said base frame and having its high end connected tothe handle frame intermediate the ends thereof, the roller carryingtreadmill frame being foldable inwardly inside the base frame, and thehandle frame being also foldable inwardly inside the base frame to stackon top of said treadmill frame, rollers on said treadmill frame in thefolded condition of said device projecting below the level of said baseframe to provide antifriction rolling support for the folded device.

5. An exercising device of the kind described comprising a horizontalrectangular supporting base frame, an upright rectangular handle framepivotally connected to one end of said base frame, and an inclinedroller carrying treadmill frame pivotally connected at its low end tothe other end of said base frame and having its high end connected tothe handle frame intermediate the ends thereof, the treadmill framebeing foldable inside the base frame, and the handle frame beingfoldable over the treadmill frame, the means providing pivotalconnections between each of said handle and treadmill frames with saidbase frame comprising a cylindrical plug insert relative to which thepivotal movement is provided, a stud threaded into said plug andextending through diametrically opposed holes in the base frame, achannel for tying two of said frames together having the stud extendingthrough a hole provided in one flange of said channel, and nut meansthreading on the end of said stud and serving to draw the partstogether.

6. An exercising device of the kind described comprising a horizontalrectangular supporting base frame, an upright rectangular handle framepivotally connected to one end of said base frame, and an inclinedroller carrying treadmill frame pivotally connected at its low end tothe other end of said base frame and having its high end connected tothe handle frame intermediate the ends thereof, the roller carryingtreadmill frame being foldable inwardly inside the base frame,

and the handle frame being also foldable inwardly inside the base frameto stack on top of said treadmill frame, the means providing pivotalconnections between each of said handle and treadmill frames with saidbase frame comprising a cylindrical plug insert relative to which thepivotal movement is provided, a stud threaded into said plug andextending through diametrically opposed holes in the base frame, achannel for tying two of said frames together having the stud extendingthrough a hole provided in one flange of said channel, and nut meansthreading on the end of said stud and serving to draw the partstogether, the flange on the other side of said channel being shortenedin relation to the flange with a hole in it so that the parts can beassembled together requiring no hole in the second flange.

7. A construction as set forth in claim 5, wherein each of said threeframes is split on one side of the pivotally connected frames, eachsplit being closed by a sleeve inserted inside and overlapping the splitportion, the sleeve being secured in place.

8. An exercising device as set forth in claim 6, wherein the amplitudeof pivotal movement of said handle frame relative to one of saidcylindrical plugs is appreciably greater than of said treadmill framerelative to the other of said cylindrical plugs.

1. An exercising device of the kind described comprising three pivotallyconnected rectangular frames disposed in end to end relationship to oneanother, the middle one being an open supporting base frame and havingone end frame movable pivotally inside it between a horizontal mobilepositiOn and an inclined stationary operative position, the said endframe carrying rollers transversely thereof in close parallel andcoplanar relationship to said frame and extending beyond said frame onat least the bottom surface thereof and adapted in the horizontalposition of said end frame to give rolling support to said exercisingdevice when in folded condition, said roller carrying end frame in theinclined stationary operative position being supported at its free endby the other end frame on the base frame.
 2. An exercising device as setforth in claim 1, wherein the other end frame includes means providingfor more than one extent of inclined support of said first named endframe in the operative position.
 3. An exercising device as set forth inclaim 1, wherein the other end frame is foldable to parallelrelationship to the roller carrying frame and unfoldable upwardly to beused in pulling or pushing the device to a desired position resting onthe rollers.
 4. An exercising device of the kind described comprising ahorizontal rectangular supporting base frame, an upright rectangularhandle frame pivotally connected to one end of said base frame, and aninclined roller carrying treadmill frame pivotally connected at its lowend to the other end of said base frame and having its high endconnected to the handle frame intermediate the ends thereof, the rollercarrying treadmill frame being foldable inwardly inside the base frame,and the handle frame being also foldable inwardly inside the base frameto stack on top of said treadmill frame, rollers on said treadmill framein the folded condition of said device projecting below the level ofsaid base frame to provide antifriction rolling support for the foldeddevice.
 5. An exercising device of the kind described comprising ahorizontal rectangular supporting base frame, an upright rectangularhandle frame pivotally connected to one end of said base frame, and aninclined roller carrying treadmill frame pivotally connected at its lowend to the other end of said base frame and having its high endconnected to the handle frame intermediate the ends thereof, thetreadmill frame being foldable inside the base frame, and the handleframe being foldable over the treadmill frame, the means providingpivotal connections between each of said handle and treadmill frameswith said base frame comprising a cylindrical plug insert relative towhich the pivotal movement is provided, a stud threaded into said plugand extending through diametrically opposed holes in the base frame, achannel for tying two of said frames together having the stud extendingthrough a hole provided in one flange of said channel, and nut meansthreading on the end of said stud and serving to draw the partstogether.
 6. An exercising device of the kind described comprising ahorizontal rectangular supporting base frame, an upright rectangularhandle frame pivotally connected to one end of said base frame, and aninclined roller carrying treadmill frame pivotally connected at its lowend to the other end of said base frame and having its high endconnected to the handle frame intermediate the ends thereof, the rollercarrying treadmill frame being foldable inwardly inside the base frame,and the handle frame being also foldable inwardly inside the base frameto stack on top of said treadmill frame, the means providing pivotalconnections between each of said handle and treadmill frames with saidbase frame comprising a cylindrical plug insert relative to which thepivotal movement is provided, a stud threaded into said plug andextending through diametrically opposed holes in the base frame, achannel for tying two of said frames together having the stud extendingthrough a hole provided in one flange of said channel, and nut meansthreading on the end of said stud and serving to draw the partstogether, the flange on the other side of said channel being shortenedin relation to the flange with a hole in it so that the parts can beassembled togeTher requiring no hole in the second flange.
 7. Aconstruction as set forth in claim 5, wherein each of said three framesis split on one side of the pivotally connected frames, each split beingclosed by a sleeve inserted inside and overlapping the split portion,the sleeve being secured in place.
 8. An exercising device as set forthin claim 6, wherein the amplitude of pivotal movement of said handleframe relative to one of said cylindrical plugs is appreciably greaterthan of said treadmill frame relative to the other of said cylindricalplugs.